Traditions, culture and parties at the Costa Brava

Havaneras Concert in Calella de Palafrugell. Costa Brava. Spain.

One day a year, traditionally the first Saturday of July, the small town of Girona Calella de Palafrugell becomes the capital of Havana.

A tradition that maintains the perennial record of the union between two peoples, Catalan and Cuban, interrupted but not broken by the war in Cuba and the loss of the American colonies.

And, as the saying says: while it unites the Sardana, the Havana unites us.

Just take a look at the letter of the Havana par excellence, "El meu avi", to understand why Calella de Palafrugell is, in its own right, the temple of this Caribbean rhythm:

(In Catalan) "El meu avi va anar to Cuba aboard the millor Català warship fleet d'overseas. The Nostromo timoner i i catorze Born to mariners differ Calella, Palafrugell Born to differ. "

(Castilian translation) "My grandfather went to Cuba aboard the Catalan the best warship fleet overseas. The helmsman and skipper and fourteen sailors were born in Calella, were born in Palafrugel This song testifies to march to Cuba over the past century many Catalan sailors looking for a way to earn a living and returning laden drink (rum, especially ), snuff, rhythms, songs ... and a thousand stories to tell.

Documentary proof of existence has in Calella de Palafrugell, in the late nineteenth century, a musical group including Habanera sung in his repertoire. In the early twentieth century, in a corner of "Port Bo" (true heart of Calella de Palafrugell) Can the old tavern Batlle was erected in center fishermen meeting tanned by the waves, between gathering and gathering, taking their glasses rum, they were encouraged to chant the lyrics of a habanera.

Later he appears "El meu avi" to refresh the collective memory:

(In Catalan) "temps war Arribaren perfídies i i traicions them in the sea of ​​Antilles retronaren els canons. Els mariners of Calella and the meu avi tots Enmig varen coberta die, die als varen peus the pipe. "

(Castilian translation) "They came wartime treachery and betrayal and in the Caribbean Sea cannon thundered. The sailors of Calella and my grandfather among them died on deck, were killed on the ball. "In 1966 an unofficial sung was organized to celebrate the appearance of" Calella de Palafrugell and Havana. "

Casual call that was so successful that the following year, in 1967, took the official nature of what today is known as "d'Havaneres Sung Calella de Palafrugell" which has arrived, no less than his 33 edition.

And indeed, the first Saturday of July in Calella de Palafrugell live the most magical night of the year.

Its coves hosting dozens of vessels, and the sand and the streets become a makeshift auditorium packed to the rafters with people eager to listen to the popular "Singing d'Havaneres".

First is felt "La bella Lola" and finished it, it's time expected to sing "El meu avi". Then, all together, like a chorus, remember this heartwarming story of tragic end. All in a setting of great beauty and enjoying a "cremat". (The "cremat" is a hot rum, coffee, lemon peel and sugar flambé until the almost complete combustion of alcohol).

And it continues with El meu avi Anar going to Cuba aboard the "Catalan" el millor warship fleet d'overseas. The timoner i love i catorze the nostre mariners differ Born to Calella de Palafrugell. Quan the "Català" sortia to sea nois els of Calella cremat feien a mans guitar sing ... Solien cantar...........